Augmentin (amoxicillin/clavulanate potassium) is a prescription drug used to treat certain bacterial infections. Augmentin’s cost may depend on factors such as your dosage, whether you have health insurance, and the pharmacy you use.

The price you pay for Augmentin can vary. To find out how much you’ll pay for Augmentin, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider. Or check out the section below to learn how much you can save by using an Optum Perks coupon.

To save money on your Augmentin prescription, explore these Optum Perks coupons.

Augmentin is available as the generic drug amoxicillin/clavulanate potassium. A generic contains an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. A generic is considered just as safe and effective as the original drug but tends to cost less.

To find out how the costs of Augmentin and the generic version compare, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

If you’ve been prescribed Augmentin and you’re interested in taking amoxicillin/clavulanate potassium instead, talk with your doctor. They may recommend that you take one version instead of the other. You’ll also need to check with your insurance provider, as it may only cover one drug or the other.

Why is there such a cost difference between brand-name drugs and generics?

Years of research and testing are needed to ensure that brand-name drugs are safe and effective. This testing can make the drugs expensive. The manufacturer of a brand-name drug can sell the drug exclusively for up to 20 years. After that, other drugmakers can create generic versions. This competition in the market can lead to lower costs for generics. And because generics have the same active ingredients as brand-name drugs, they don’t need to be studied again. This can also lead to lower generic costs.

If you need help covering the cost of Augmentin or understanding your insurance, check out these resources:

On these pages, you can find insurance information, details on drug assistance programs, and links to savings cards and other services.

If you have questions about how to pay for your prescription, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Below are answers to some frequently asked questions about Augmentin and cost.

What’s the cost of Augmentin without insurance vs. with insurance?

The cost of Augmentin without insurance versus with insurance can vary based on several factors.

Some factors that may affect your cost of Augmentin without insurance include:

  • your treatment plan and dosage
  • the pharmacy you use
  • the form of the drug you’re prescribed
  • any cost savings programs you qualify and apply for

The same factors affect your cost of the drug if you’re paying through insurance. But in addition, your cost with insurance may depend on:

  • your individual plan benefits
  • any prior authorization requirements for your plan (see the “Prior authorization” section below for more information)

To find out more about your cost with and without insurance, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider (if you have one).

Whether you have insurance or not, you can visit Optum Perks* to get price estimates for Augmentin when you use coupons from the site. It’s important to note that Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with any insurance copays or benefits.

* Optum Perks is a sister site of Healthline.

How does the cost of Augmentin compare with that of similar drugs, such as amoxicillin?

The cost of Augmentin compared with the cost of amoxicillin can depend on several factors. For example, Augmentin is a brand-name drug that contains the two active ingredients* amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium. Amoxicillin is a generic medication with one active ingredient. Generic medications typically cost less than brand-name versions.

Other factors that may affect how much you pay include:

  • whether there are any savings programs available for the drug you’re prescribed
  • whether you have insurance or are paying out of pocket
  • how long your treatment lasts
  • the form of the drug you’re prescribed

If you have questions about the cost of Augmentin compared with the cost of amoxicillin or other similar medications, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider. They can share more details on treatment costs based on your specific situation.

* The active ingredients are what make a drug work.

If you have insurance, you may need to get prior authorization before your insurance provider will cover Augmentin. This means your insurer and your doctor will discuss Augmentin in regard to your treatment. Then the insurance company will determine whether the drug is covered. If Augmentin requires prior authorization and you don’t receive it before you start treatment, you could pay the full cost of the drug.

Be sure to ask your insurance company whether Augmentin requires prior authorization.

If you still have questions about the cost of Augmentin, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to give you a better idea of what you’ll pay for this drug. But if you have health insurance, you’ll need to talk with your insurance provider to learn the actual price you’d pay for Augmentin.

Examples of questions you may want to ask your doctor or insurance provider include:

  • Does my cost for Augmentin depend on my dosage?
  • Would Augmentin ES oral liquid suspension cost more than Augmentin oral chewable tablets?
  • How does the cost of Augmentin compare with the generic version?

To learn more about Augmentin, see these articles:

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Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.